Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAMAGFCY’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘BKDAMAGFCY’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and sturdy plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; large decorative type inflorescences with bright yellow-colored ray florets; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Dahlia hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BKDAMAGFCY’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT AND ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, Beekenkamp Plants B.V. of Maasdijk, The Netherlands on Oct. 20, 2020, application number 2020/2575. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘BKDAMAGFCY’.

The new Dahlia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Hillegom, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new vigorous container Dahlia plants with large inflorescences with attractive ray floret coloration.

The new Dahlia plant originated from a cross-pollination in September, 2015 in Hillegom, The Netherlands of a proprietary selection of Dahlia hybrida identified as code number FET.S14.012.007, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Dahlia hybrida identified as code number FET.S13.024.013, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Dahlia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Hillegom, The Netherlands in September, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia plant by terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Hillegom, The Netherlands since March, 2017 has shown that the unique features of this new Dahlia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘BKDAMAGFCY’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘BKDAMAGFCY’ as a new and distinct Dahlia plant:

-   -   1. Upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and sturdy plant         habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely basal branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.     -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit.     -   6. Large, decorative type inflorescences with bright         yellow-colored ray florets.     -   7. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in inflorescence type as plants of the new Dahlia have decorative type inflorescences whereas plants of the female parent selection have single type inflorescences. In addition, leaves of plants of the new Dahlia are darker green in color than leaves of plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in plant size as plants of the new Dahlia are larger than plants of the male parent selection. In addition, ray florets of plants of the new Dahlia are bright yellow in color whereas ray florets of plants of the male parent selection are pale yellow in color.

Plants of the new Dahlia can also be compared to plants of Dahlia hybrida ‘BKDAMAGYL’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,240. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Dahlia differ from plants of ‘BKDAMAGYL’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia have darker green-colored leaves         than plants of ‘BKDAMAGYL’.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia have smaller inflorescences than         plants of ‘BKDAMAGYL’.

Plants of the new Dahlia can also be compared to plants of Dahlia hybrida ‘XXL Aztec Hidalgo’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Dahlia differ from plants of ‘XXL Aztec Hidalgo’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia have darker green-colored leaves         than plants of ‘XXL Aztec Hidalgo’.     -   2. Plants of the new Dahlia have slightly smaller inflorescences         than plants of ‘XXL Aztec Hildalgo’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Dahlia plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘BKDAMAGFCY’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘BKDAMAGFCY’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and the following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the late winter and early spring in 20-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Dahlia production. During the production of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 17° C. to 19° C. Plants were pinched one time and were eleven weeks from planting rooted cuttings when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia hybrida ‘BKDAMAGFCY’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia             hybrida identified as code number FET.S14.012.007, not             patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Dahlia             hybrida identified as code number FET.S13.024.013, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 16 days at             temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 19 days at             temperatures about 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 21 days             at temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 23 days             at temperatures ranging from 19° C. to 21° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             creamy white to light brown in color, actual color of the             roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality,             fertilizers, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots; tuber development has not been observed on plants of             the new Dahlia.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright to somewhat outwardly             spreading and sturdy plant habit; overall plant shape,             roughly globular; freely basal branching habit with about             three primary branches each with about three secondary             branches developing per plant; inflorescences held above the             foliar plane on strong peduncles; bushy and dense growth             habit; pinching is not required but will improve branching             habit; vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 33.3             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 35.3             cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 44.4 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 11.9 cm. Diameter: About             1.1 cm. Internode length: About 2.7 cm. Aspect: Primary             branches are about 25° from vertical; secondary branches are             about 30° from primary branch axis. Strength: Moderately             strong to strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy. Color, developing: Darker than 148B             tinged with close to a blend of N186C, 200A and 200B. Color,             developed: Close to 148A strongly tinged with close to             N186C; at the internodes, close to 148A more strongly tinged             with close to N186C. -   Leaf & leaflet description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves opposite and compound with typically             three to five leaflets.         -   Length, leaf.—About 22.1 cm.         -   Width, leaf.—About 21.9 cm.         -   Length, terminal leaflets.—About 12.8 cm.         -   Width, terminal leaflets.—About 9.5 cm.         -   Length, lateral leaflets.—About 12.1 cm.         -   Width, lateral leaflets.—About 6.8 cm.         -   Shape, leaves.—Broadly ovate in outline.         -   Shape, leaflets.—Broadly ovate.         -   Apex, leaflets.—Apiculate.         -   Base, leaflets.—Short to long attenuate.         -   Margin, leaflets.—Coarsely serrate to dentate.         -   Venation pattern, leaflets.—Pinnate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface, leaflets.—Mostly smooth,             glabrous with venation, moderately pubescent; slightly             rugose; slightly glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface, leaflets.—Sparsely             pubescent; slightly rugose; slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Developing leaflets, upper surface: Close to NN137A.             Developing leaflets, lower surface: Close to between 147A             and 147B. Fully expanded leaflets, upper surface: Darker             than a blend of 147A and N189A; venation, close to a blend             of N186C and 200A. Fully expanded leaflets, lower surface:             Close to 191A; venation, close to N148A and 200C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 4.2 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm by             10 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster,             upper surface: Moderately pubescent; glossy. Texture and             luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color,             upper surface: Close to N186C tinged with close to 200A.             Color, lower surface: Close to 146C with axial stripes,             close to 200B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and arrangement.—Decorative type inflorescences             with ray florets forming acropetally on a receptacle;             inflorescences positioned above and beyond the foliar plane             on strong peduncles; inflorescences face mostly upright to             slightly outwardly; freely flowering habit with about 27             developing and fully developed inflorescences per plant at             one time; to date, disc floret development has not been             observed.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flowering response and flowering period.—Early flowering             habit, plants begin flowering about 76 days after planting;             plants flower continuously during the autumn into the winter             in The Netherlands.         -   Post-production longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good             substance for about ten days on the plant; inflorescences             persistent.         -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 1.8 cm. Diameter: About             3.4 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate; involucral bracts reflexed.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: Close             to 200C and 200D; proximally, close to 147A; distally, close             to 4A; involucral bracts, close to NN137C.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: Large, about 11.1 cm. Depth             (height): About 6.5 cm.         -   Receptacles.—Height: About 5 mm. Diameter: About 1.3 cm.             Shape: Lunate. Color: Close to 150D.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:             About 260 arranged in about twelve whorls. Length: About 1.1             cm to 5.1 cm. Width: About 1.7 cm. Shape: Obovate to             narrowly obovate; moderately carinate and moderately             concave. Apex: Obtuse to broad and bluntly acute. Base:             Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Aspect: About 40° from vertical.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;             moderately velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower             surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; mostly matte             with venation, slightly glossy. Color: When opening, upper             surface: More intense than 1A. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 1A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 1A;             venation, close to 161A; color becoming closer to 3A with             subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close             to 2B; venation, close to 161A to 161D; color becoming             closer to 3B with subsequent development.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:             About 13 in an upper whorl and about nine in a lower whorl.             Length, upper whorl phyllaries: About 2.2 cm. Width, upper             whorl phyllaries: About 6 mm. Length, lower whorl             phyllaries: About 1.6 cm. Width, lower whorl phyllaries:             About 7 mm. Shape, upper whorl phyllaries: Narrowly oblong.             Shape, lower whorl phyllaries: Oblanceolate; moderately             carinate. Apex, upper whorl phyllaries: Obtuse. Apex, lower             whorl phyllaries: Acute. Base, upper and lower whorl             phyllaries: Cuneate. Margin, upper and lower whorl             phyllaries: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             whorl phyllaries, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous; glossy. Color, upper whorl phyllaries: Upper             surface: Close to 174A; towards the base, close to 146A.             Lower surface: Close to 177C to 177D; towards the base,             close to 147A. Color, lower whorl phyllaries: Upper surface:             Darker than 147A strongly tinged with close to 202A; towards             the base, close to N186C. Lower surface: Close to NN137C;             venation, close to a blend of 200A and 202A.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 12.6 cm.             Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 5 mm. Strength: Strong.             Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture and luster: Smooth,             glabrous; moderately glossy. Color: Close to 146B strongly             tinged with close to 177A; proximally, close to N186C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: To date, none observed on             plants of the new Dahlia. Gynoecium, present on ray florets:             Quantity per floret: One. Pistil length: About 8 mm. Style             length: About 6.5 mm. Style color: Close to 4A. Stigma             diameter: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Pointed. Stigma color:             Close to 13A. Ovary color: Close to 150D. Seeds and fruits:             To date, seed and fruit development have not been observed             on plants of the new Dahlia. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Dahlia have     not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Dahlia have been observed to     have good garden performance, to tolerate high temperatures of about     35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAMAGFCY’ as illustrated and described. 